Kieran Culkin Confirmed to Play Caesar Flickerman in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Succession star Kieran Culkin has been cast as a young Caesar Flickerman in Lionsgate's upcoming film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Lionsgate officially announced the news on X/Twitter, putting an end to months of speculation about who would portray the iconic, flamboyant TV host in the eagerly anticipated prequel. The confirmation of Culkin's role has fans buzzing with excitement as Lionsgate gears up to bring this latest installment to life.

Sunrise on the Reaping serves as another prequel in The Hunger Games series, set after the events of 2023's The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and well before the Jennifer Lawrence-starring Hunger Games movies that concluded in 2015. Culkin steps into the role previously played by Stanley Tucci, who left an indelible mark on the character. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman praised Culkin's casting, stating, “Kieran’s scene-stealing presence and undeniable charm are perfect for Caesar Flickerman, the sickeningly watchable host of Panem’s darkest spectacle. Stanley Tucci made Caesar unforgettable—and now Kieran will make the role entirely his own.”

Caesar Flickerman.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/hggGysk4Nd

— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) May 21, 2025

Culkin's recent performances have earned him widespread acclaim, notably for his role as Roman Roy in Succession and as Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain, which garnered him a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award. His early career, highlighted by roles in Father of the Bride and Home Alone alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin, showcased his talent from a young age. His sharp wit and charisma make him an ideal choice for the role of Caesar Flickerman in this dystopian setting.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is slated for release on November 20, 2026, and will bring Suzanne Collins’ novel to the big screen. Alongside Culkin, the film will feature a stellar cast including Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, promising a captivating cinematic experience.